Stress is rampant in today’s society, and one thing we now know for sure: It can have a very detrimental effect on overall health. Numerous studies point to what stress can do to the body. Primarily, it causes the release of certain hormones – noradrenaline, adrenaline, and cortisol. Among other things, these hormones increase the heart rate and raise the blood pressure.

When a person experiences stress too often, the body’s ability to regulate its response is diminished. As a result, the body is flooded with too much of these hormones, and all systems are adversely affected. Over time, it can take a terrible toll, increasing the risk of heart disease, memory problems, skin conditions, and digestive issues.Unfortunately, there is no pill or quick fix for stress. Each individual must cope with it emotionally in order to prevent the physical effects. This means learning techniques that help to curb immediate reactions to stressful situations.The following are some of the best ways to deal with stress in a healthier way:1) COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL THERAPYWorking with a qualified therapist to alter behavior can be very helpful, as it teaches patients to substitute positive thoughts for thoughts that provoke anxiety.2) COPING SKILLS TRAININGLearning these skills – mindfulness, interpersonal effectiveness, emotional regulation, and distress tolerance – helps the individual react more calmly when difficult circumstances arise.3) RELAXATION TECHNIQUESA variety of techniques that promote relaxation have been shown to reduce the levels of the aforementioned circulating stress hormones. These techniques include deep rhythmic breathing, progressive relaxation, and visual imagery (see feb blog).